Media Tracker – 16th June 2017

Media Tracker lists the challenges and achievements of the journalists and media organisations worldwide. Here’s a list of journalism at risk stories in the recent month. We would like to thank international media protection organisation and news outlets for their content.

Rana Tanveer, a journalist with Express Tribune, acclaimed for his reportage of religious minorities and human rights, was run over by a car on June 09 and suffered severe injuries to his lower torso in Lahore, Pakistan. Only a few days prior to the attempt on his life, he had found a threatening graffiti in front of his house, labeling him as a Qadiani sect supporter and hence liable for murder. Despite Tanveer’s attempts the police undermined the significance of the threat and kept from registering an FIR (First Information Report). Local and global rights organisations for journalists demand justice for Tanveer. (Freedom Network Pakistan)

Last week Turkish police detained at least 38 people for their activity on social media, the news website Dikenreported yesterday, and cited public data on anti-terrorism activity published by the Interior Ministry each week. According to Turkish media reports Turkish police detain an average of six people a day based on their social media posts. (CPJ)

Anup Tiwari, a reporter with Radio Birgunj and Mountain TV, was attacked by a gang earlier this month as he was enjoying a meal with his friends at a hotel in Birgunj, Nepal. The men allegedly accused Tiwari of involvement in anti-Madhesh activities and for writing news stories against the Madhesi community. Later, the accused threw a petrol on his face and body. Previously Tiwari had also received threats through social media, which he had reported to the police. (IFEX)

South Sudanese government announced a refusal to issue or renew visas for 20 foreign journalists. These journalists came from approximately ten countries, and work for both print and broadcast media. The journalists are accused by the government for writing “unsubstantiated and unrealistic” stories that “insulted or degraded South Sudan and its people.” Eight journalists have been killed in connection with their work since 2013 without an investigation by the authorities. South Sudan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2017 World Press Freedom Index after falling 20 places since 2015. (RSF)